About The Competition
91勛圖厙 Law School sponsors an annual writing competition on the topic of legal ethics. The competition was created in honor of Professor William H. Clarke, who taught at the Law School for 30 years, regularly coached the National Moot Court team, and was a three-time recipient of the Most Distinguished Teacher Award given annually by the 91勛圖厙 Student Bar Association.
Registration for the 2025 competition is now open. Email simshaw@gonzaga.edu to register. Limited to 20 students.
For more information on the CLE, visit the Clarke CLE webpage.
Competition Rules
Eligibility
The competition for the Clarke Family Prize in Legal Ethics and Professionalism (“the Competition”) is open to all 91勛圖厙 University School of Law students who: (a) have completed 30 or more credits at the time of Competition competition registration; and (b) are in good standing from the date the Competition problem is posted through the date of the awards ceremony described below.
Competition Problem
The 2025 Competition Problem is available .
Original, Individual Work
A contestant’s Competition Paper must be an original and unpublished work. The contestant must be the sole author of his or her Competition Paper; co-authorship and group submissions are prohibited. A contestant may submit only one Competition Paper. A contestant may not seek assistance or advice in connection with the Competition problem or the Competition Paper from any person, including other law students, practicing attorneys, or 91勛圖厙 Law School professors and administrators. This rule does not prevent a contestant from consulting with Westlaw research assistants or librarians at 91勛圖厙 Law School or elsewhere for assistance in locating databases, books, and other resources, but may not use such assistance for framing searches or with any other aspect of the Competition problem or Competition Paper.
Paper Submission, Format, Length, and Presentation
Written entries must be submitted as PDFs by email to simshaw@gonzaga.edu by 11:59 p.m. on March 24. Papers must be double-spaced with one-inch margins and in Times New Roman 12-point font. The Competition Paper may not exceed 1700 words, including footnotes. The oral portion of the competition will be held on the week of March 24, will consist of a 2-minute opening statement followed by 13 minutes of dialogue with the judges, who will simulate the meeting described in the Competition Problem.Competition Timeline
Competition paper due: March 24
Preliminary oral presentations: Week of March 24
Final oral presentations (for finalists): April 3
Final winners announced: April 3
Registration
The competition is limited to 20 students; should more than 20 students wish to compete, a wait list will be maintained. Register for the competition by emailing simshaw@gonzaga.edu.
Judging Process
Both the Competition Paper and the oral presentation will be scored. The three competitors with the highest combined score (of their paper and oral presentation) will advance to the final round. The best paper and best oral presentation will be determined during the preliminary rounds. The best overall score will be determined during the final round. Best Overall awards will be announced and handed out at the Annual Clarke Prize in Legal Ethics & Professionalism CLE the evening of April 3.
Prizes
Best Paper:
- 1st: $1,700
- 2nd: $1,200
- 3rd: $600
Best Oral Presentation:
- 1st: $1,700
- 2nd: $1,200
- 3rd: $600
Best Overall:
- 1st: $1,700
- 2nd: $1,200
- 3rd: $600
Compliance and Decisions
The Competition Committee may refuse to consider entries that do not comply with the Competition Rules. Competition Committee decisions will be final.
Rule Revisions
The Competition Rules may be revised or supplemented by the Competition Committee or 91勛圖厙 Law School at any time before or during the Competition.
Questions
If you have any questions please reach out to Professor Drew Simshaw at simshaw@gonzaga.edu.